Maersk teams up with Plug and Play to tap start-ups

Tuesday, March 14, 2017John Churchill

To help find and develop innovative ideas in transport and logistics, Maersk is partnering with Silicon Valley-based Plug and Play, an accelerator that helps connect start-up companies with corporations like Maersk.

From advanced analytics to data pipelines to its own app store for industrial software products, A.P. Moller – Maersk is making a variety of investments in digital innovation in order to grow the company and improve efficiency.

A new partnership with Plug and Play, a start-up accelerator in California, brings the world of start-ups in to the hunt for innovation in transport and logistics. (Read the press release)

“We are excited about this new platform and its capability to bring the digital ecosystem together to create innovative digital solutions for the shipping and logistics industry.”

Accelerating ideas for business
As an accelerator, Plug and Play helps existing start-up companies grow with a combination of seed money, mentoring and connections to large companies (like Maersk) in relevant industries that may be interested in investing in their ideas.

As a result of the partnership with Maersk and Ericsson, Plug and Play will launch its 11th industry vertical, this one focusing on Transport & Logistics, for existing start-ups with innovative ideas in this space.

“It is with great excitement we announce the launch of our Supply Chain & Logistics Innovation Platform with Maersk and Ericsson. In this globally connected world, commerce and trade makes our world a better place; and without efficient shipping and logistics, this would not be possible,” says Saeed Amidi, Founder and CEO of Plug and Play.

“We look forward to working with Global 100 companies that ship their products and goods worldwide to do this more efficiently, more cost effectively, and more sustainably for years to come.”

How it works
Startups considered for the Transport & Logistics vertical will be innovating in areas such as disruptive business models, improved customer experience, application of IoT devices, advanced analytics, and future technologies connecting multiple parties, such as blockchain.

The companies accepted into the program have the opportunity to receive funding from Plug and Play Ventures, weekly mentor sessions with industry thought leaders, entry to 22 international locations, opportunities for potential pilot projects, and access to the founding Anchor Partners, Maersk and Ericsson.

A.P. Moller - Maersk

A.P. Moller - Maersk is an integrated transport and logistics company with multiple brands and is a global leader in container shipping and ports. Including a stand-alone Energy division, the company employs roughly 88,000 employees across operations in 130 countries.